Hibiscus plant named `Gulf Wind`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named `Gulf Wind`, characterized by its very dark green leaves; upright and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habit; freely flowering, large and numerous light golden yellow-colored flowers with dark red throats; long peduncles; good resistance to flower bud abscission; and excellent postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Gulf Wind`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Alva, Fla. The objective of the breeding program is tocreate new Hibiscus cultivars having uniform plant habit, earlyflowering, numerous flowers per lateral branch, desirable flower color,resistance to flower bud abscission, and good postproduction longevity.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in Alva,Fla. of the nonpatented commercial cultivar `Euterpe` as the female, orseed, parent with the commercial cultivar `Waikiki ` (disclosed in U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,834) as the male, or pollen, parent. Compared to plantsof the light orange-colored cultivar `Euterpe`, plants of the newHibiscus have larger flowers and are more resistance to flower budabscission. In addition, plants of the cultivar `Euterpe ` have lobedleaves whereas plants of the new Hibiscus do not have lobed leaves.Compared to plants of the pink-colored cultivar `Waikiki`, plants of thenew Hibiscus have larger flowers.

The cultivar `Gulf Wind` was discovered and selected by the inventor asa flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in Alva, Fla., on Oct. 4, 1993. The selection of this plantwas based on its desirable flower color, resistance to flower budabscission, good postproduction longevity, and uniform plant habit andflowering.

The new Hibiscus is similar to plants of the nonpatented cultivar`Sundance`. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Alva, Fla., plantsof the new cultivar differ from plants of the cultivar Sundance in thefollowing characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more freely branching than plants ofthe cultivar Sundance.

2. Plants of the new Hibiscus have more flowers than plants of thecultivar Sundance.

3. Plants of the new Hibiscus have lighter golden yellow-colored flowersthan plants of the cultivar Sundance.

4. Plants of the new Hibiscus flower about 10 days earlier than plantsof the cultivar Sundance.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in acontrolled environment in Alva, Fla., has shown that the unique featuresof this new Hibiscus are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

The cultivar `Gulf Wind` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,nutrition and water status without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Gulf Wind`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Gulf Wind` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Very dark green leaves.

2. Uptight and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habit.

3. Freely flowering, large and numerous light golden yellow-coloredflowers with dark red throats.

4. Long peduncles.

5. Good resistance to flower bud abscission.

6. Excellent postproduction longevity.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The first photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical plantof `Gulf Wind`.

The second photograph comprises a close-up view of a typical flower of`Gulf Wind`.

Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may appear different fromthe actual colors due to light reflectance.

The aforementioned and following observations, measurements, values, andcomparisons describe plants grown in Alva, Fla., in 15-cm containerswith day temperatures ranging from 16 to 35°C and night temperaturesranging from 10 to 24°C. Plants were grown under a polypropylenecovering with light levels ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 footcandles.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cv. `Gulf Wind`.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cv. `Waikiki ` (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,834).

Female or seed parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cv. `Euterpe` (notpatented).

Propagation:

Type.--By terminal cuttings.

Time to develop roots.--About 28 days at temperatures of 24°C.

Rooting habit.--Moderately vigorous, thick and well-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, evergreen, upright andoutwardly spreading, inverted triangle, uniform and symmetrical planthabit. Moderate vigor.

Branching habit.--Moderate, usually three lateral branches develop afterremoval of terminal apex.

Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 25 cm.

Plant diameter, area of spread.--About 32 cm.

Lateral branch description.--Length: About 6 cm. Diameter: About 4.5 mm.Color: Immature: 200A to 146A. Mature: 199B.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Alternate, single.

Leaf size, largest leaves.--Length: About 9.5 cm. Width: About 6.25 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Leaf apex.--Acute to rounded.

Leaf base.--Cordate.

Margin type.--Crenate to dentate.

Texture.--Glabrous and glossy on both surfaces.

Aspect.--Slightly undulating.

Color.--Young foliage, upper surface: 147A. Young foliage, lowersurface: Greener than 146A. Mature foliage, upper surface: Very darkgreen, darker than 147A. Mature foliage, lower surface: 147A. Venation,upper surface: Darker than 147A. Venation, lower surface: 147A.

Petiole.--Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Texture: Pubescenceon upper surface. Color: 146A to 200A.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Usually spring and summer or during periodsof warm weather.

Flower arrangement.--Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils.Very freely flowering with usually five to seven flower buds and/or openflowers per terminal apex. Flowers flat and face upright. Flowerappearance: Star-shaped single. Light golden yellow-colored petals withdark hot pink throat. Flowers are open for about one day before closing.Flowers persistent.

Flower diameter.--About 16 cm.

Flower bud (just before opening).--Rate of opening: About one daydepending on temperatures. Length: About 7 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 cm.Shape: Columnar. Color: Golden with red overtones.

Petals.--Texture: Satiny, smooth. Arrangement: Corolla consists of fivepetals that overlap. Shape: Spatulate with rounded apex. Margin: Entire.Size: Length: About 9.5 cm. Width: About 6.5 cm. Color: Upper surface:Light golden yellow, 20A/20B. Veins are dark red, 53B. Lower surface:Lighter golden yellow, 20B. Throat: Dark red, 53A/53B. After closing:Golden with red overtones.

Sepals.--Appearance: Six sepals fused into a star-shaped calyx. Shape:Linear. Texture: Smooth. Color, outer surface: 146A.

Peduncles.--Length: About 6 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: Upright.Strength: Strong, rigid. Color: 146A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: Numerous. Stamenlength: About 5 mm. Anther shape: Globular. Anther size: About 1 mm.Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: 21A. Gynoecium: Pistil length:About 10.5 cm. Style length: About 9 cm. Style color: Apex 46A to lightpink. Base: 46A. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma diameter: About 2.5 mm.Stigma color: 46B. Ovary color: White.

Disease resistance: No known Hibiscus diseases observed to date onplants grown under commercial greenhouse conditions.

Seed production: If cross-pollinated, seed production may be observed.Usually one to twenty seeds per capsule.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named `Gulf Wind`,as illustrated and described.